The scheme was rubber-stamped by delegates despite some very vocal opposition from speakers such as Tyrone's Mark Conway and Donal McAnallen.

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell, who has worked hard to have the grants introduced, welcomed the decision and insisted that they did not contravene the GAA's amateur status.

'The GPA have a commitment to amateur status - this is something we have said from the very outset and this has proven to be true,' Farrell said.

'This can only further enhance the improving relationships between county boards and players. There is no onus on the GAA to fund this scheme.'

Separately, a motion to ban filling GAA cups with alcohol after celebrations was passed overwhelmingly.

A motion which will allow for Video and Telephone Conferencing to take place instead or in addition to physical meetings, hearings and conventions, was also passed.

A motion from Wicklow club An Tochar was overwhelming passed with delegates voting in favour of a return to the old qualifier system for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship which will see Division 4 (Tommy Murphy Cup) teams make a return in 2009 to the qualifier series.

Wexford's Glynn/Barntown were successful in ensuring that home and away advantage will apply to the first round of the All-Ireland qualifers.

The motion passed allows that 'where a team is drawn away for the second year running in the first round of the All-Ireland qualifers, that team receive home advantage. In the event of both teams having been drawn away the previous year, toss for home advantage'.